Tesla's Timeline: The Birth and Rise of Tesla

The Birth of Tesla:

The name Tesla motors is an homage to Nikola Tesla, who patented his AC induction motor in 1887.

2000: Two silicon valley engineers named Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning sell their ebook reading business for $187 million.

2003: The two entrepreneurs are inspired to reduce the world’s dependence on middle eastern oil, as well as to help combat climate change. They begin looking into options including hydrogen and electric cars.

2004: Elon Musk leads the $7.5 million series A round and joins the board of directors as its chairman, and takes on operational roles as well.

2005: Tesla’s forms a strategy to build a high performance sports car first.

2006: The company signs a contract with British sports car maker Lotus to use its Elise Chassis as a base.

Tesla raises a series C for $40 million, led by  Elon Musk and Vantage point venture partners,   Google, Larry page, Sergey brin, and J.P.Morgan also participate in the round.

The roadster makes it debut with a price tag of $100,000.

2007: Eberhard is forced to resign as CEO in august.

Early Tesla investor Micheal Marks takes the reins temporarily.

In November, Ze’ev Drori takes over as president and CEO.

2008: After less than a year of Drori’s run, Musk steps in to take over the role in October.

At this point, Musk has already invested $55 million in the company, and it was teetering towards bankruptcy.

The Rise of Tesla:

2010: On june 29, Elon Musk and Tesla team rang the opening bell at NASDAQ exchange. It was Tesla’s long awaited IPO.

Tesla’s stock soared 41% in its debut. Tesla was the first American car maker to go public since ford in 1956.

2011: Tesla announces that the Roadster will be discontinued, instead the focus will be on developing 2 new EV’s – Model S and Model X.

Tesla’s market cap hit $3.1Billion.

2012: The model S was Tesla’s chance to build an electric car concept from scratch.

In June 2012, the first Model S hits the road and rest is history.

2013: The gigafactory plan is revealed. An ambitious attempt to bring economies of scale to the battery industry.

Market cap hits $22.4Billion.

2014: Tesla makes significant advances in software, hardware and mission.

Market cap hits $25.6Billion.

2015: After massive and repeated delays because of issues with the “Falcon Wing” doors, the Model X if finally released.

The Tesla Powerwall is also announced.

Market cap reduced to $25.4Billion.

2016: Tesla unveils its Model 3 – the car for the masses that is supposed to change it all.

Tesla also announces that it is taking over Elon Musk’s another company Solarcity.

Market cap reaches $40.9Billion.

2017: Tesla unveils the new Roadster.

Tesla named as top American car brand 2017.

The Tesla gigafactory 1 begins battery cell production.

Model 3 deliveries begin.

Tesla’s semi truck, Tesla Semi is revealed.

Tesla starts accepting orders for its new solar roof product.

Tesla wins bid to provide gird-scale battery power in South Australia and Puerto Rico.

Overtakes Ford’s market cap, it reaches $52.3Billion compared to Ford’s $49.9Billion.

2018: SpaceX launches Tesla's Roadster into orbit.

Reached production of 300,000 electric cars.

Model 3 got five start safety rating in all categories.

Tesla energy’s flagship powerpack project in Australia.

Elon Musk’s tweet costed Tesla $40 million.

Elon Musk replaced by Robyn Denholm , then CFO of the company, as Chairman.